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Pulis is trying a variety of players in a variety of positions this summer but with the new season little more that a fortnight away, he’ll have to start making some crucial decisions on exactly who plays where.

Clayton insists he’s happy to play anyway just as long as he’s in the team.

Adam Clayton in action against Sandhausen

“As long as I am on the football pitch I don’t mind where I play, I don’t really care,” he said.

“I do what the manager asks me to do and for the last couple of years I’ve been asked to do that job of protecting the back four and keeping the ball and I’d like to think I’ve been quite good at it and it’s worked.

“If the gaffer wants to me to do a different role, I’ve done it before and I’ll do what the manager asks, that’s all that I can do.”

“That can only be a good thing,” said the 29-year-old. “I’ve played with Jonny Howson before, he’s a top player and last season we all had times in and out of the side and you’ve just got to keep your head down.

“It’s good players keeping you out of the squad if you are not in there so you have to be on top form and that can only be good for the squad if we’re all playing well.”

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Clayton, who got married to his long-term partner Mandi earlier this summer, admits he spent the period before pre-season reflecting on the 2017/18 campaign and what he’d like to achieve this time around.

“I always like to do that when I’m away with the missus,” he explained. “We have a nice chat about the season and what we can do next season and we’ve just got to start this one how we finished the last. Hopefully I can start this one (in the team) and stay in for the full season.”